A SURPRISE visit from pop megastar Ed Sheeran delighted students as he launched two new music projects for young people in the city.
Ahead of his show at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Friday (December 5 – see page 2), Ed spent the afternoon meeting pupils, headteachers, and representatives from Coventry Alternative Provision Academy, Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School, Coventry Music and St Giles Trust.
During his visit, he introduced two new initiatives, Access to Music Industry and Your Voice, which he launched through his Ed Sheeran Foundation (ESF) in partnership with Coventry Music, part of Coventry City Council, and St Giles Trust.
Access to Music Industry is a new partnership between Coventry Music and ESF to offer guidance to young people interested in creative careers. It will bring industry professionals to Coventry throughout 2026 and 2027 to provide students with valuable insights, mentoring and pathways into the music industry.
ESF will fund one young person from each of the secondary schools he met with across the city. The selected students will have access to a dedicated day per week of bespoke provision focused on developing the skills needed to access the music industry. In return, participating schools have committed to fund the future two years of the programme.
Faye Parklen, Head of Education Entitlement and Enrichment at Coventry City Council, said: “We are so grateful to Ed and his Foundation for giving Coventry young people an incredible opportunity to take part in a funded programme which will give them a genuine route into the music industry.
“We know that this programme which is being delivered though the Coventry Alternative Provision Pathway will open up opportunities for young people to access different industries. This new programme really shows how working in partnership can make a difference to the lives of young people.”
Your Voice is an ESF-funded music programme for vulnerable 11–17-year-olds who are at risk of violence and exclusion from education, delivered in partnership with St Giles and Coventry Music.
Young music students were speechless when Ed paid them a visit.
Launching in Cardinal Wiseman School, where it will operate, the programme combines Coventry Music’s tuition with St Giles’ lived-experience mentoring model.
Over the next 12 months, 40 young people will access weekly music sessions, trauma-informed mentoring and industry masterclasses to gain accredited music qualifications.
St Giles will offer one-to-one lived-experience mentoring, while Coventry Music will deliver specialist tuition, accredited learning pathways, and facilitate visits from industry professionals including producers, songwriters and behind-the-scenes creatives.
Tracey Burley, Chief Executive at St Giles Trust, said: “St Giles is deeply grateful to the Ed Sheeran Foundation for supporting this vital area of our work.
“Your Voice will engage young people at risk of violence and exploitation through a powerful combination of music and mentoring.
“For the young people we support, music is more than creativity – it is a safe outlet, a source of motivation, and a bridge into education, wellbeing and the creative industries. This partnership will help young people be heard, heal, and build new futures.”
Laura Burtonwood, Principal of Cardinal Wiseman School, said: “We were delighted to welcome Ed Sheeran to our school today. His visit was an extraordinary source of inspiration for our pupils, showing them first-hand what can be achieved through hard work, creativity, and perseverance.
“Ed’s warmth, humility, and genuine interest in our young people made a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful for the encouragement he has given our school community and the wider Coventry community.
Ed Sheeran previously visited the city in January, when he met with Barrs Hill School, the TIN Music and Arts, and Coventry Alternative Provision Academy – which received new studio equipment funded by ESF.
Dr Renuka Fernando, CEO at the Ed Sheeran Foundation, said: “When Ed and ESF visited Coventry earlier this year, we were inspired by the young talent on the ground.
“After meeting several students, teachers and music staff, it became clear that there was both a real desire and a real need to shine a spotlight on music, not only to ensure young people have the right equipment and opportunities to pursue their passions, but also to strengthen the life skills that music education helps develop.
“As a foundation, we are partnering with organisations at all levels – schools, councils and charities – to give the young people of Coventry the right access to music, which we hope will raise aspiration across the city.
“Music is a transformative, powerful subject that offers invaluable life skills, and it’s important to us that it’s not seen as a luxury but as a pathway all young people can pursue, no matter their background.”
